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Energy and Sustainability in the 21st Century (Part I)
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:15
Objective
Why is energy important for life and our society? How did energy use change over time? Which effects did these changes have on the environment? What are the physical basics of energy technologies? When, why and how did technology and science of energy come together? What are the limits and benefits of all the various energy technologies? How can different energy technologies be compared? Can we understand the changes in the current energy systems? How will the energy systems of the future look like? How fast can we and should we alter the current energy transition? Which could be the overall guide lines for a working energy system of the future?
Content
Physical basics of energy, thermodynamics and life. Introduction to self-organisation, and systems. Energy and making use of it - a short history and overview on energy technologies Coal, oil and natural gas – fossil fuels Hydro, Wind- & Solarpower (Geothermal- and Tidal power) – the quest for renewable energy Nuclear power, radioactivity and ultimate storage – the quest for a safe technology Breeding and Nuclear Fusion – can it work at all? Energy storage – available technologies and a technology outlook Climate change, decarbonisation – how much time do we have? Energy efficiency, recycling and other resource conservation measures Energy systems – how everything can play together Buildings and Mobility – new technologies, new Ways of life? Life cycle assessment of Energy Technologies – problems and possibilities Economics of energy, learning curves, technology assessments and Innovation. The energy transition and decarbonisation – How is your 2040, 2050?
Resources
Lecture Notes
Web page:http://ihp-lx2.ethz.ch/energy21/index.html
Literature
The Physics of Energy, R.L. Jaffe, W. Taylor, 2018 Clean Disruption of Energy and Transportation, T. Seba 2014 Energy and Civilization: A History, V. Smil, 2018 Renewable Energy – Without the Hot Air, D.J.c. Mackay 2009
Learning Materials (Links)
- Moodle course
- Moodle-Kurs / Moodle course
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , DZ , SHE , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Energy and Sustainability in the 21st Century (Part I) |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise | Energy and Sustainability in the 21st Century (Part I) |
|
1 h weekly |
Offered In
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Physics Teaching Diploma (Detailed information on the programme at: )
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Spec. Courses in Resp. Subj. w/ Educ. Focus & Further Subj. Didactics (Core courses that counted towards the Bachelor or Master programme in physics or comprised additional admission requirements in subject didactics are not eligible for the teaching diploma.)
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Compulsory Elective Courses (Further course offerings from the category Educational Science are listed under "Programme: Educational Science for Teaching Diploma and TC".)
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Physics TC (Detailed information on the programme at: )
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